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First Bank & Trust Company Participates in VBA Bank Day Scholarship Program: Virginia High School Seniors Will Shadow Bankers for a Chance to Win College Scholarship Money

On March 20, Virginia high school seniors will spend the day shadowing bankers at First Bank & Trust Company as part of Bank Day, a statewide effort sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) Education Foundation and the VBA Emerging Bank Leaders.  The purpose of the day is to expose students to the banking industry and provide an opportunity for the students to learn about banking, financial services and the vital role First Bank & Trust Company plays in its community.
The third Tuesday in March was declared Bank Day by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991 and First Bank & Trust Company is proud to host students for this important program.  From their experience, participating students will write an essay for the chance to win a scholarship. Six regional scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded, and from those six winners an overall statewide winner will be chosen. The statewide winner will receive an additional $5,000 scholarship - $7,500 in total. There will also be six honorable mention scholarships of $1,000 each. In all, twelve students will receive scholarships totaling $26,000.
During their stay, the students will visit various bank departments, learn about the deposit and loan process, the importance of good credit and how First Bank & Trust Company is involved in the community.  To date, students from high schools in Bridgewater, Staunton, Wise and Lebanonare participating.
"Bank Day is one of the best short-term, hands-on experiences that a classroom teacher can offer their students—the opportunity to go inside the bank vault, to watch customer/bank officer interaction, to learn about the many services that banks offer, and to start the networking that often leads to part-time and summer jobs, scholarships, and a start on a career path in the financial world," said Bruce Whitehurst, president & CEO of the Virginia Bankers Association.
About First Bank & Trust CompanyFirst Bank & Trust Company, one of the top community banks in the United States, is a diversified financial services firm with office locations in southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and New River and Shenandoah Valleys.  Financial objectives are addressed by offering free checking products for personal and business accounts, and assessing lending solutions managed by mortgage, agricultural and commercial lending divisions.  Comprehensive financial solutions are available through trust and brokerage service representatives. 
About the VBA Education FoundationThe Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation was formed in 2007 with the objective of recognizing the importance of economic education and financial literacy in Virginia and supporting the banking industry as a key participant in these areas. Their mission is to advance personal financial literacy to students in all public and private schools across the Commonwealth.

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